Monday, March 12, 2012

Rurner's Top ten in the NHL Draft 2012

Forget the mock drafts of Morreale, Kimelman and Hoffner on NHL.com, they were terrible predictors last year and will again fail this year. Both seem to think that a team will draft based on position but as history proves time and time again, a team drafts its prospects in the early rounds based on the "best player available" strategy. Now I would give them a bit of a pass on a few of the players taken early on as who could have predicted Zibanejad going so early...gee, I had him going 8th not 6th.

Well, lets get started by saying....

1. Nail Yakupov.
The most dynamic player, he can shoot, pass and skate and its just about been impossible to slow him down in the WHL. It won't be long before he is wrecking NHL defenses. If the Oilers slide to 1st overall, despite all the forwards they have, they still pick Nail. He is just that far above the rest of the class.

2. Alex Galchenyuk.
Yes, Galchenyuk. He might be Nail's competition if not for the knee injury that has kept him out. Well folks, its just a knee injury. Born in the U.S.A., There is minimal RUSSIAN FACTOR risk, and he is 6'2". He has been compared to Marion Hossa.

3. Mikail Grigorenko.
Huge hockey I.Q. People might think I'm nutbar for putting Galchenyuk ahead of him but the RUSSIAN FACTOR really scares me and I think there is minimum upside comparably.

5. Matt Dumba
Does everything big. Big shot, Big hits. Arguably the first player taken from the deap defense draft.

6. Griffin Reinhart.
He is 6'4" and can skate! A mobile defensmen that excels in the shut down role and can contribute offensively, NEED I say more?

7. Radek Faska
A 6'2" Center that can put up points.

8. Morgan Reilly.
Had he been injury free he might be placed higher only because we would know what kind of learning curve he might have.

9. Jacob Trouba.
Has high skill level and will eventually shut down NHL defenseman. There may be some untapped offensive potential but has yet to show much offense.

10. Brendan Gaunce.
These are the type of players that you win Stanley Cups with, a powerful winger who plays both ends of the ice.

Overrated...

1. Forsberg. This is another classic case of a player that showcases major talent but really doesn't produce the numbers to warrant such a high selection. Remember Magnus Parjarvi? For that matter, when was the last time a Swedish forward did anything close to what he is supposed to in the NHL. THEY are projects. That doesn't mean he won't turn into a hell of a player!